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Metaphysical Underdetermination: Why Worry?

French, Steven (2009) Metaphysical Underdetermination: Why Worry? In: UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

Various forms of underdetermination that might threaten the realist stance are examined. That which holds between different ‘formulations’ of a theory (such as the Hamiltonian and Lagrangian formulations of classical mechanics) is considered in some detail, as is the ‘metaphysical’ underdetermination invoked to support ‘ontic structural realism’. The problematic roles of heuristic fruitfulness and surplus structure in attempts to break these forms of underdetermination are discussed and an approach emphasizing the relevant structural commonalities is defended.


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Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (UNSPECIFIED)
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
French, Steven
Keywords: ontic structural realism, underdetermination.
Subjects: General Issues > Theory Change
General Issues > Theory/Observation
Specific Sciences > Physics
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Depositing User: Dr Ioannis Votsis
Date Deposited: 28 May 2009
Last Modified: 07 Oct 2010 15:18
Item ID: 4655
Subjects: General Issues > Theory Change
General Issues > Theory/Observation
Specific Sciences > Physics
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Date: 2009
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/4655

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